Feeding scheme provides meals for Durban’s homeless
The initiative started following a message by local businessman Bashir Rashid to family and friends, expressing his concern for how the homeless would survive while the country went into lockdown.
TWO organisations who share a passion for providing meals for the poor and homeless, have joined forces to provide more than 5 000 meals daily to the homeless at various shelters throughout Durban and surrounding areas.
Friends, Bashir Rashid and AK Ebrahim, expressed their concern over how the homeless would survive whilst the country went into lockdown.
Bashir’s intent was to start a soup kitchen to provide at least two meals a day to those in need which he would prepare from his premises in Stamford Hill Road, working in conjunction with the municipality.
His only concern was his lack of experience to feed the homeless at the magnitude required during the lockdown.
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Bashir was introduced by a mutual friend to the chairperson of ‘Feed The Poor’ Ebee Khan.
‘Feed the Poor’ has provided approximately 365 000 meals to the homeless in the past year.
With Bashir’s facilities and Feed the Poor’s knowledge, experience and volunteer capacity, a marvelous partnership was born for the lockdown.
Together with their teams and Chief Operating Officer Zahid Fakey, they ensure all meals are served at 10am and at 5pm daily across 14 sites during lockdown. This keeps growing on a daily basis.
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Commenting on the partnership, Project Liaison and Co-ordinator Kathy Lauten, expressed her admiration and great respect for all volunteers who selflessly give of their time and serve the homeless with such compassion.
“This is no ordinary feeding project, this is in a time of an epidemic and the volunteers are at risk daily, yet they understand the risks and are willing to be on the forefront, very remarkable indeed. The operation is running very smoothly through the leadership of Zahid Fakey.”
She also expressed admiration for the sponsors and donors who assisted in making the feeding possible.
“The organisation is extremely appreciative to all that have come together with their different strengths and formed such a dynamic unison to assist us from strategy to implementation. Special mention goes to Mukhtar Dawood and Shiraz Akoo for being a pillar of strength and support to our leadership team.”
Describing the partnership with Feed the Poor Bashir said: “We split the volunteers up into teams and everyone is fed at the same time at the different sites. We are addressing hygiene as well and are also organising toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap for the people. We are also concerned about their well-being and are encouraging people to donate balls, board games and so on to keep the homeless occupied while in shelters.”
Linda Morrison from ‘We are Durban’ works very closely with the team and has been on the ground working with both the homeless and the organisations ensuring everyone receives meals daily.
Khan said donations and volunteers came largely from the Muslim community however, an increasing number of people across the community had recognised the work of the partnership and they were grateful to them as well.
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He encouraged donations and support from other groups or individuals to continue as Feed the Poor serve humanity from all walks of life.
“We are providing around 5000 meals a day, 7 days a week, across the shelters. We have committed to providing two meals a day – brunch of a pack of sandwiches, fruit and either water or juice at 10am, and a hot meal at 5pm,” he said.
Zahid Fakey expressed his gratitude to the sponsors, donors and especially Bashir and AK who have opened their hearts and offered their premises for the project to operate from.
“The team gives all thanks and praise to the Almighty for making all this possible and are committed to continue feeding throughout the lockdown and beyond.”
To provide funding for the project, banking details are:
Bank: Al Baraka Bank,
Account name: Feed the Poor,
Account number: 78600272345,
Branch code: 800 000.
Address: 131 Stamford Hill Road.
Contact Kathy on 082 369 4246 and Zahid on 082 786 7800.
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